Francis Ngannou Stuns Fans by Turning Down Anthony Joshua Showdown
Eddie Hearn, the promoter of Anthony Joshua, asserts that Francis Ngannou’s team did not answer a call regarding a possible fight.
Ever since he nearly defeated Tyson Fury in November and then lost, Ngannou’s stock has never been better. The former UFC champion gave a surprise showing over ten rounds in Saudi Arabia, but was rejected on the scorecards. Hearn claimed that negotiations broke down despite his association with Joshua, who is scheduled to face Otto Wallin this month.
“Just to let you know, we’re up for discussing the Francis Ngannou-AJ fight,” I stated to Francis Ngannou’s team. They never responded to me. Thus, based on my understanding of the industry, I would assume that Fury-Ngannou has already agreed to post Fury-Usyk,” Hearn said on The MMA Hour.
After the first fight, [Ngannou] will think he can beat Fury, but there’s really only three fights that will pay off at the levels he will want [Fury, Joshua, or Deontay Wilder]. There’s really no point [in boxing non-stars] because he can really lose to anybody in the top 50 at heavyweight.
“Thus, based on my best guess—you may be more knowledgeable—Francis Ngannou will compete in the PFL or another promotion in the spring or summer of 2024, and he will face Tyson Fury at the end of that year. That seems like the team’s way of thinking.
Punk responded to Rollins’ outburst by saying that it was his one chance to speak such things without getting a receipt. Punk had been standing silently while Rollins was berating him. Punk went on to say that he will participate in the Royal Rumble and that, should he win, he would particularly aim for Rollins and the World Heavyweight Championship.
